Kentucky people

[G The Egg man]

Request for Maran info:

We currently raise Golden Comets, we have 50 hens and 7 roos. My son helps and is really good with them. (Really he does most the work and enjoys it). A little info he is a preteenager, I dont like to put to much info out on net. Well anyway he has seen Marans and their eggs, he thinks they are great and loves the dark brown egg color.

Well anyway he wants to take his earnings from what we have paid him on our egg sales ( We pay him a percentage on each dozen sold, trying to instill a good work ethic and the value of working for what you want) and buy some Marans. Yeah he wants to start his own business.

I would not post this but he has been saving for 7 months and has enough to get started. I figure it will be a good learning experiece for him.


So now to my questions: ( I know by now most of you have quit reading, sorry for the long post)


He wants to raise them, incubate eggs, sell fertile eggs, show them, and of course he wants to make money back on what he put out.

So what would you all recommend as far as a type of Maran breed?

Or are there our breeds I should have him consider?


He has $200 to buy stock with, Mom and I are gonna let him use our feed ( till he gets on his feet ..HA..HA) He is helping me build the coop for them now, using some stuff we have around the farm.


Any help and advice would be appreciated. I know nothing about Marans. So any info would be greatly appreciated, along with sources of chicks. Again sorry for the long post, just trying to set my little man up for success. Thanks and God bless.

 

[Ms. Lewis Rich]

I have the Copper Marans. suppost to lay the darkest egg on a whole. (my eggs took a third at the Ohio Nationals) Just had to get my brag in sorry LOL
I think as far as him selling chicks most people are seeking the Coopers the most. And just have to find someone who is honest when saying what color their eggs really are. The eggs lighten up as the hen continues to lay, only the early eggs are the really deep dark Choc. color that is so desired.
I have the variety that are cleaned legged. I guess that does not matter as much as egg color. I love there personality they will jump right in my lap,even the 2 roos we have. I am brooding a baby now it jumps in my hand and likes me to swing it back and forth. CUTE
I don't have anything bad to say about them as a breed, Our two roos got frost bitten combs during our bad weather.
I bought 6 eggs last winter from a good breeder and paid over 70.00 for them and got lucky they all hatched. I guess eggs are the cheapest way to go, but a bigger gamble.

Karen

 

[shelleyd2008]

Ms. Lewis Rich :

I have the Copper Marans. suppost to lay the darkest egg on a whole. (my eggs took a third at the Ohio Nationals) Just had to get my brag in sorry LOL
I think as far as him selling chicks most people are seeking the Coopers the most. And just have to find someone who is honest when saying what color their eggs really are. The eggs lighten up as the hen continues to lay, only the early eggs are the really deep dark Choc. color that is so desired.
I have the variety that are cleaned legged. I guess that does not matter as much as egg color. I love there personality they will jump right in my lap,even the 2 roos we have. I am brooding a baby now it jumps in my hand and likes me to swing it back and forth. CUTE
I don't have anything bad to say about them as a breed, Our two roos got frost bitten combs during our bad weather.
I bought 6 eggs last winter from a good breeder and paid over 70.00 for them and got lucky they all hatched. I guess eggs are the cheapest way to go, but a bigger gamble.

Karen

I agree that the black coppers are the 'hot ticket' right now. I know there is a person in Tennessee that raises them. He is a member, screen name Wheaties. I don't know that he would have chicks, but I know he does sell eggs.
I don't think marans are 'showable' yet. I don't think they have been recognized as a breed by the APA. There are marans shows, but they wouldn't be enterable in the APA sanctioned shows. I could be wrong about that, but that's my understanding.
There are many different marans breeds. I like the black coppers and the blues. I would tell him to look over the different types and see which he likes the best. All marans lay dark eggs, and he would enjoy it more if he were raising the ones that he liked.

Anyway, here is Wheaties website, if you were thinking of getting the coppers. http://www.backwoodspoultryfarm.com/ Good luck!

He has his prices listed as $60 for a dozen, which is not bad at all. He is located in Niota, TN. His site does say that he doesn't offer chicks, but since he is so 'close', it would probably be worth your while for you and your son to put some of his money to the use of going to get the eggs, rather than having them shipped.​

 

[estpr13]

Quote:
Is that small chickens? or Small swap? or young large breed chickens?

What time and location in Paris?

 

[Ms. Lewis Rich]

Shelly, Last year I decided I wanted the Wheaten Marans liked the way they looked.
Went to a Suppost to be good breeder and ordered eggs not once but twice and got one deformed chick, with healthy chicks hatching all around them both times, even 2 of another breed she sent with them hatched healthy.
I bent over on that one , she is still selling eggs from what I hear .
I hate to see someone else get scammed especially a child.

 

[kycowgirlchick]

I think I may try to go to the Paris swap. I need to meet up with briarpatch anyway. I also have a trio of partridge cochins and some silkie roos I need to part with. This may be a good opportunity unless I take them to Sano Friday night????

 

[shelleyd2008]

Does anyone know what would cause this?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=130284

 

[kycowgirlchick]

Quote:
Hey lady how's it going at work today?

I am sooo tired. Regina didnt sleep good last night. So I have been sort of cross eyed.

Well I missed you guys. Your already logged off. I walked away for just a few.

 

[briarpatchfarms]

Quote:
Is that small chickens? or Small swap? or young large breed chickens?

What time and location in Paris?

Its a small swap just about 20 or so people will be there maybe a few less than that!

 

[briarpatchfarms]

Quote:
Yeah bring all you want to swap or sale not sure you know if you will sell them all but you might and you never know Im taking the 2 Self Blue OE and some chicks!